Native Title issues will be taken into consideration by Wattle Range Council as it prepares to appoint new managers to its Southern Ocean Tourist Park at Beachport.

Dan and Heidi Prouse, formerly of Millicent, have operated the caravan park for almost eight years after submitting a successful tender.

The January council meeting was told they wish to terminate their management contract.

Chief executive Ben Gower was authorised by the meeting to commence an Expression of Interest process for the submission of proposals to manage the facility.

The park has 300 powered and unpowered sites along with 12 cabins.

Mr Gower said the park was located on Crown Land and the subject of a Native Title claim. He said Native Title had never been extinguished as there had never been a lease between the council and State Government.

According to Mr Gower, the council had four management options for the park.

He said the next managers could be another family concern or a mid-size company.

“The third option could be a long-term lease with one of the big nation-wide companies which has a chain of caravan parks,” Mr Gower said.

“With a long-term lease of 21 years, they may make major capital improvements.

“The fourth option is for the park to be managed by council staff but I would not support this.”

Mr Gower said he did not know why Mr and Mrs Prouse were stepping down, but pointed out they had other accommodation interests at Beachport.

Councillor Sharon Cox said the pair had done “an amazing job” in running the caravan park while Cr Moira Neagle asked a letter of thanks be sent to Mr and Mrs Prouse.